WYLFA on Anglesey was officially listed as one of the potential sites for new nuclear power stations unveiled by the Government yesterday.

Nine of the 11 locations are previous homes to nuclear reactors – including Dungeness in Kent and Sizewell in Suffolk – while two others are close to the former Sellafield reactor site in Cumbria.

As a month-long consultation on Wylfa’s nomination began, the people of the island were encouraged to make their views known.

Phil Fowlie, leader of Ynys Môn council which is backing a new nuclear station, said: “This process will bring us closer to ensuring that Anglesey remains an important centre for energy generation as the ‘Energy Island’. Wylfa power station makes an immense contribution to the island’s economy.

“It remains one of our largest employers, providing many high quality, well-paid jobs.

“In the current economic climate, it’s vital we ensure that jobs and skills at the present site are transferred to a new operator.”

The move was an extra opportunity to comment, in advance of the public consultation in autumn 2009, he said.

The current plant, which has been operating since 1971, is scheduled to stop generating electricity in 2010.

But the planned “new generation” is opposed by many environmental groups who want more efforts on renewable energy.

Local opposition group PAWB (People against Wylfa B) want a full public inquiry into any scheme.

Convener Dylan Morgan said: “This sham consultation doesn’t mean a thing, the Government is trying to bulldozer this through hoping their spin about a jobs crisis carries the day.”

If it was given the go-ahead, the new Wylfa plant would take 15 years to build on nearby farmland and be operational by 2025.

Conservative shadow Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan was on Anglesey yesterday visiting Anglesey Aluminium and port operators Stena to assess the strains in the local economy.

Bosses said that the closure of Wylfa is the main reason behind the planned shut down of Anglesey Aluminium in September with the end of the plant’s cheaper electricity deal.

Ms Gillan said: “For the economy continued nuclear generation at Wylfa is very desirable.

“Wylfa is a primary energy producer for all of the UK.”

Alan Smith, nuclear development manager for RWE npower, said: “The Government will finally decide on which sites in the UK are appropriate for possible nuclear development early next year.

“We welcome the support we’ve found at Wylfa, and the recognition of the major economic boost a new power station could bring to the area.”